Popular Pastor Dies From Bee Sting

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Family and friends are mourning the loss of a popular East county youth pastor.

Michael Hendricks, 26, died Tuesday morning from an allergic reaction to a bee sting he suffered on April 11, according to his family.

Youth Pastor Killed by Bee Sting

Katelyn Hendricks' love for her husband is just as strong as her belief that he is in a better place. Still she wondered why the youth pastor was taken away from his young family by a bee sting. (Published Thursday, April 21, 2011)

Hendricks cared for bees as a hobby. "He had bee hives at his home and when someone needed to have bees recovered he would go and help,"said Sr. Pastor Jack Forness.

After being stung, Hendricks was in a coma for about eight days at Sharp Grossmont Hospital before he passed away. He was a pastor at East Valley Christian Fellowship on Ridge Hill Road.

Images: Michael Hendricks

"He was the most wonderful man I've ever known," said his wife Katelyn.

The couple had been married for four years and have an eight week old daughter named Avigail. "He just loved being a Dad, loved it,"Katelyn told NBCSanDiego. "I will tell her about her father and what a great man he was."

Katelyn's love for her husband is just as strong as her belief that he is in a better place. Still, she wonders why him?

"Everyday, every second, every hour,"she said.

Hendricks' sister is still in disbelief over the death of her older brother.

"I still can't accept it," said Bonny Hendricks. "I guess God needed him up there for something important."

Bonny said in January her brother was stung by a bee and got sick, but recovered. That's why family members didn't think he had an allergy.

Bonny doesn't understand why he didn't survive this sting. "The hospital did tell us they worked on him harder and longer than they had anyone else or would have because he was a new father and a pastor."

A fund has been set up for Hendricks’ wife and daughter. To donate, just go to evcf.com.

Family members are planning to set up a foundation in Michael Hendricks' name.